Mercado 48 is a wonderfully eclectic concept store and art space in the heart of Porto's Baixa, run by two friends with magpie taste. Behind the door on Rua da Conceição you will find a colourful hodgepodge of Portuguese-made design and vintage finds — hand-painted ceramics, screen-printed tote bags, wooden toys, mid-century Danish furniture, carpets and even bicycles.
It is as much gallery and cultural hangout as shop: the owners host exhibitions, workshops and concerts, and are as likely to offer you a glass of wine as a sales pitch. That easy, informal spirit makes it a lovely place to browse slowly and pick up a genuinely local, one-of-a-kind souvenir.
Local tip: Chat to the owners — half the charm is their stories about the pieces. Check whether an exhibition or event is on when you visit; it is often at its liveliest then.
Good to know
- Where: Rua da Conceição 48, Porto
- City: Porto